Page 4 – Ministry of Sport

Cobram Estate Renews Partnership with Melbourne Mavericks

Posted on September 8, 2026 by Courtney

The Melbourne Mavericks and Cobram Estate extends its Principal Partnership for a further three years.

Under the renewed agreement, the iconic brand will retain its prime position on the front of the club’s playing dress, cementing one of the most visible and enduring commercial alliances in elite Australian netball.

Sports Entertainment Network CEO, Craig Hutchison, welcomed the long-term commitment as a vital endorsement of the franchise’s strategic vision and recent sporting success, which included a finals appearance in just their third season.

“Cobram Estate has backed the Mavericks since day one, so we’re incredibly proud to be extending this partnership for another three years.”

“When we launched the club, Cobram Estate immediately shared our vision and ambition for what the Mavs could become.

“They took a leap of faith with us and have been an outstanding partner throughout our journey. To have their continued support as our Principal Partner is a tremendous endorsement of the club, our people and the future we’re building.

“We’re excited to continue growing together and delivering meaningful outcomes for our members, fans and the broader Victorian community,” Hutchison said.

For Cobram Estate, the renewal reflects a successful alignment between corporate social investment and grassroots community impact.

Global head of sales and marketing at Cobram Estate, Brent Crosbie, noted the early risk taken on the start-up franchise has yielded substantial brand and community dividends through local engagement and regional initiatives, including support for over fifty community netball clubs via dedicated grants.

“Three years ago – when Cobram Estate committed to a Principal Partnership of the Melbourne Mavericks – a uniform had not been designed, a team had not been finalised, and obviously a game had not been played.”

“But what appealed to Cobram Estate was the humble, grassroots foundation that the Melbourne Mavericks were being built on.

“This has been brought to life over the last three years by the amazing local engagement of the Mavericks players, the Community Grants program that has been felt by over 50 local netball clubs, and the amazing fan experience that has been provided at each Melbourne Mavericks home game.

“In addition, to achieve a finals berth in only their third season was an absolute credit to the club as a whole.

“Cobram Estate is proud to extend its partnership with the Melbourne Mavericks for another three years,” Crosbie stated.

Since joining the franchise prior to its inaugural season, Cobram Estate has played an integral role in the organisation’s rapid commercial and on-court evolution. The expanded multi-year arrangement sees the company maintain its status as Match Day Partner for the marquee Melbourne Derby against cross-town rivals the Melbourne Vixens, alongside continuing its individual player partnership with rising star Jessie Grenvold following her standout campaign.

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Wimbledon Implements Strict Influencer Crackdown for 2027 Following US Open Disruptions

Posted on September 7, 2026 by Courtney

Wimbledon has signalled a strategic shift in elite Grand Slam event management, confirming definitive plans to bar an influx of content creators and influencers for next year’s tournament.

According to detailed reports from The Press Association, the historic All England Club will not establish a dedicated accreditation category for digital influencers, while security personnel will actively confiscate disruptive equipment such as ring lights and professional recording gear to protect traditional match etiquette, player focus, and broadcast integrity.

Highlighting the operational challenges, four-time Grand Slam champion, Naomi Osaka, addressed the disruptions following her opening-round encounter.

“I feel like it’s common courtesy to read up on the sport, especially the etiquette.”

“I feel like it could be a good thing for people to make the sport of tennis popular to their specific audience, but I think it has to be managed a lot better, especially in the situation like in my first-round match.

“Overall, I think there’s huge positives. … You want people to continue to grow the sport.

“I just think it has to be in a way that everyone knows the rules and the etiquette,” she said.

This regulatory stance stands in sharp commercial contrast to the recent US Open, which actively embraced a high-volume influencer presence by credentialing approximately one hundred content creators, representing nearly double the previous year’s total.

While this digital-first engagement strategy successfully expands mainstream reach across younger cohorts, it has triggered widespread operational friction, including paused matches, staged photoshoots, and crowd disturbances that have drawn sharp public criticism from elite athletes and competitors regarding professional event standards.

Toyota Australia Named Official Automotive Partner of Historic 2026 NFL Melbourne Game

Posted on September 7, 2026 by Courtney

Toyota Australia has secured a partnership with the National Football League as the Official Automotive Partner for the inaugural 2026 NFL Melbourne Game.

The alliance places the automotive brand at the centre of one of the country’s most anticipated international sporting events, which will feature the Los Angeles Rams facing the San Francisco 49ers at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Friday, September 11, 2026.

The partnership extends across the multi-day NFL Kickoff Festival at Melbourne Park from September 10 to 12. Toyota Australia will host several precinct activation featuring the Toyota Tundra display, interactive photo opportunities, and fan engagement experiences.

Commenting on the partnership, chief marketing officer of Toyota Australia, Vin Naidoo, said: “Sport has a remarkable ability to bring people together through shared experiences.”

“The NFL’s first-ever regular season game in Melbourne presents a unique opportunity to connect Australian audiences with one of the world’s biggest sporting competitions and Toyota Australia is proud to help fans be a part of the excitement and engage with the game in new ways,” he said.

Welcoming the partnership, Charlotte Offord, NFL-GM for Australia and New Zealand, Charlotte Offord, added: “The NFL Melbourne Game is a landmark moment for our fans in Australia, and we’re delighted to welcome Toyota as a partner for this historic occasion.”

“Toyota is one of the country’s most recognised and trusted brands, with a deep connection to Australian communities through sport.

“Together, we’re creating more opportunities for fans to engage with the NFL and be part of an unforgettable experience,” Offord said.

The commercial tie-up capitalises on surging local engagement, underpinned by a rapidly expanding Australian NFL fanbase numbering 8.8 million. Unprecedented public demand saw over 100,000 individuals join the ticket waitlist before dates were officially announced, with general access allocations exhausting within hours.

WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert to Step Down at the End of 2026

Posted on September 7, 2026 by Courtney

WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert has announced she will retire from her role at the conclusion of the 2026 season, concluding a seven-year tenure that redefined the league’s commercial trajectory and operational scale.

Appointed by NBA commissioner Adam Silver in 2019 as the organisation’s inaugural commissioner, Engelbert steered the competition through an era marked by surging franchise valuations, expanded corporate sponsorships, and lucrative media-rights agreements that substantially elevated player compensation.

During her leadership, the organisation successfully negotiated two major collective bargaining agreements and drove significant league expansion, welcoming three new franchises with an additional three slated to join before the close of the decade.

Despite this commercial growth and financial maturation, Engelbert’s tenure faced considerable operational controversy, including sharp criticism from player representatives regarding league leadership, management of racial abuse incidents, and structural equity concerns stemming from a 2022 capital raise that divested a sixteen percent equity stake.

Reflecting on her departure, outoing commissioner, Cathy Engelbert, said: “I retire knowing we have built something bigger, stronger and more enduring than we could have imagined.”

“It’s a good time to hand it off to the next leader to take the ‘W’ into a better phase.

“I’m proud of the team we built and everything we accomplished. A leader knows when it’s time to drop the mic and move on after building a powerhouse team in the league office,” she said.

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver acknowledged the scale of her impact on women’s professional sport.

“Cathy has presided over the WNBA through the most significant period of growth in the league’s 30-year history.”

“We are grateful for Cathy’s leadership and unwavering commitment to the advancement of women’s basketball,” Silver said.

Sharing their dynamics, on WNBPA executive director, Terri Carmichael Jackson, added: “We didn’t always agree, but we absolutely shared a belief in what this league could become and in building a better future for the women at the heart of it.”

“I’m proud of what we were able to accomplish together and, on behalf of our player membership, I wish Cathy and her family nothing but the best in whatever she chooses to do next,” Jackson shared.

Outgoing WNBPA president, Nneka Ogwumike, shared: “Leading through this much change is no small undertaking, and I have great respect for the commitment Cathy brought to the role.”

Engelbert will assist in managing the executive transition, having submitted candidate lists to league stakeholders, and remains prepared to extend her tenure into 2027 should a successor not be appointed by year’s end.

LeBron James Switches From DraftKings to Polymarket in Football Endorsement Deal

Posted on September 7, 2026 by Courtney

Global basketball icon LeBron James has officially his commercial allegiance from DraftKings to prediction market platform Polymarket, securing an endorsement agreement centred primarily on football.

The partnership follows the expiration of James’s previous multi-year arrangement with DraftKings earlier this summer, marking a major development in the fiercely contested commercial battle between emerging prediction markets and traditional sports betting operators. The collaboration was initially teased via social media, generating immense digital engagement and laying the groundwork for a broader promotional campaign scheduled to launch shortly.

While the agreement bridges elite athletic influence with the rapidly expanding prediction exchange sector, it operates within strict regulatory parameters governing professional basketball athletes.

National Basketball Association regulations do not explicitly prohibit players from endorsing prediction markets, provided they refrain from promoting specific league-related event contracts, aligning directly with established policies governing conventional sports wagering.

The partnership intensifies the ongoing commercial rivalry between market leaders Polymarket and Kalshi as both platforms vie for elite sports-related sponsorships and high-profile athlete backing. Polymarket has steadily built an impressive portfolio of league-level agreements spanning major international competitions alongside team-level arrangements, while competitor platforms have simultaneously secured prominent athlete investors and official franchise partnerships across multiple professional codes.

The ongoing legal battles surrounding prediction markets, highlighted by recent federal appeals court rulings, point toward potential future showdowns within higher judicial bodies.

Representatives for LeBron James declined to comment on the financial terms of the agreement, while representatives from DraftKings were unavailable for immediate comment.

FC Barcelona Crosses Historic €1 Billion Revenue Milestone Following Spotify Camp Nou Return

Posted on September 7, 2026September 7, 2026 by Courtney

FC Barcelona has confirmed a financial milestone by surpassing the EURO1 billion (AUD1.6 billion) revenue barrier for the 2025/26 financial season.

This achievement emphatically validates the club’s long-term economic recovery strategy and the board’s complex financial restructuring, effectively silencing global critics who previously questioned the implementation of various economic levers. Achieving this landmark figure cements the Catalan organisation’s status at the pinnacle of international football’s financial elite, establishing a formidable baseline for future commercial operations across all professional divisions.

For significant portions of the campaign, the club operated with substantial capacity constraints while managing a phased return to the iconic Spotify Camp Nou following extended periods at temporary facilities like Montjuic’s Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys. Even after the emotional homecoming, the stadium operated at only 55 to 60 percent capacity due to ongoing major construction works.

Generating a world-record turnover while effectively surrendering upwards of 40 percent of potential matchday revenue—spanning ticket sales, corporate hospitality packages, and stadium concessions, highlights exceptional corporate agility, disciplined financial governance, and meticulous strategic planning.

The revenue shortfall typically associated with reduced stadium capacity was more than offset by explosive, sustained growth across the club’s diverse commercial divisions.

Surging global sponsorships, expanded licensing agreements, and booming e-commerce sales executed through the club’s merchandising subsidiary propelled total income comfortably past the billion-euro threshold.

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell Signs Four-Year Extension Through 2030 Season

Posted on September 7, 2026 by Courtney

National Football League commissioner Roger Goodell has secured a four-season contract extension that ties his leadership to the competition through the conclusion of the 2030 season.

Announced by the league, the new agreement ensures Goodell’s tenure will run until March 31, 2031, aligning precisely with the expiration date of the NFL’s current collective bargaining agreement. This milestone marks the fifth contract extension for Goodell since he assumed the commissioner post on September 1, 2006.

The strategic structure of the new agreement reflects a strong emphasis on corporate accountability and performance metrics.

New England Patriots owner and compensation committee chairman, Robert Kraft, shared the rigorous evaluation process undertaken by the league.

“Throughout the negotiation process, the Committee worked closely with an independent third-party compensation consultant and outside counsel to structure a deal that aligns Roger’s compensation with the League’s long-term interests and success.

To that end, the agreement is heavily performance based, with more than 95% of the total compensation tied to Roger’s and the NFL’s performance measured against various metrics and at the discretion of the Compensation Committee,” Kraft stated in a formal memo sent to all franchise teams.

He further emphasised the governing body’s confidence in his ongoing leadership

“We believe we are very fortunate to have Roger at the helm for the next four years.”

While specific financial terms of the renewal were not publicly disclosed, the commissioner’s extended tenure arrives amidst a period of extraordinary commercial growth and global franchise valuation surges.

Under Goodell’s leadership, club valuations have scaled up, highlighted by the recent record-breaking sale of the Seattle Seahawks for $9.612 billion, a stark contrast to the USD600 million (AUD833 million) valuation recorded when the Minnesota Vikings sold shortly before his appointment in 2006.

Furthermore, the league continues to accelerate its international footprint, executing a record nine global fixtures during the current season as part of its overarching strategy to expand international market penetration and broadcast monetisation.

Sport Australia Hall of Fame Secures Permanent Home Across Melbourne Park and MCG

Posted on September 7, 2026 by Courtney

The Sport Australia Hall of Fame has announced a partnership to establish its permanent home across Melbourne Park and the Melbourne Cricket Ground, significantly bolstering the Victorian capital’s sports tourism economy.

Announced by Victorian Minister for Sport, Hon. Steve Dimopoulos, ahead of the seventieth anniversary of the 1956 Melbourne Olympic Games, the long-term collaboration anchors the prestigious organisation within two of the nation’s most iconic sporting precincts.

Under the new arrangement, Melbourne Park will serve as the principal partner, hosting the organisation’s annual Induction and Awards Gala alongside its national broadcast.

Representing elite achievement, the Hall of Fame also drives grassroots development through its scholarship and mentoring programs for emerging athletes.

Commentng on the value of the partnership, Melbourne Park CEO, John Harnden, said: “Melbourne Park is proud of the role we play in Australian sport.”

“Our diverse calendar of events already gives people access to some of the best sporting spectacles this country has to offer, and this partnership will provide us with yet another opportunity to connect the community with sporting excellence,” Harnden said.

Melbourne Cricket Club CEO, Stuart Fox, highlighted that the Australian Sports Museum provides an ideal setting for the gallery, noting that the facility welcomed more than 180,000 visitors from over 70 countries during the previous year.

Sport Australia Hall of Fame Chair John Bertrand praised the alliance as a defining milestone for the institution.

“together, these two iconic venues provide a fitting home for the Hall of Fame and the remarkable achievements and stories of our Members.”

The event will relocate to Centrepiece from 2026, transitioning into an expanded multi-day format specifically engineered to drive interstate visitation and tourism expenditure.

Concurrently, the Sport Australia Hall of Fame gallery will maintain its prominent presence within the Australian Sports Museum at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, ensuring year-round public access to exhibits honouring 616 members and legends spanning roughly 180 years of domestic sporting heritage.

Melbourne Victory Welcomes San Francisco 49ers to AAMI Park Ahead of NFL Australia Debut

Posted on September 7, 2026 by Courtney

A-League Men outfit Melbourne Victory have welcomed the San Francisco 49ers to AAMI Park. Victory midfielder Louis D’Arrigo and defender Philipp Ziereis greeted 49ers linebacker Fred Warner on Saturday afternoon, with both elite clubs participating in an official jersey swap and media presentation.

The five-time Super Bowl champions have established their operational and training base at Melbourne Victory’s premier training facilities ahead of the National Football League’s inaugural regular-season fixture in the Southern Hemisphere, marking a major coup for local sports administration.

The landmark fixture will see the San Francisco 49ers face the Los Angeles Rams at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground on Friday, September 11, officially launching their 2026/27 campaign on Australian soil.

This event serves as the commercial centrepiece of a massive three-day American football festival transforming the Melbourne Park precinct. Supported by the NFL Kickoff Festival presented by American Express, the extensive activation is engineered to drive substantial visitor engagement, international tourism demand, and economic uplift across the state’s hospitality, accommodation, and retail sectors.

The precinct-wide celebration is designed to cater to both lifelong Australian NFL enthusiasts and casual sports fans, featuring live entertainment, official merchandise hubs, appearances by legendary league figures, and high-definition public watch parties hosted across giant LED display screens in the heart of the city.

Cross-code collaborations of this magnitude underline Melbourne’s established standing as a premier global sporting capital capable of seamlessly integrating international entertainment intellectual property with domestic sporting infrastructure.

By using facilities such as AAMI Park and the Melbourne Cricket Ground, local sporting organisations continue to demonstrate the commercial scalability and strategic value of hosting tier-one global sports events.

Melbourne Aces Secure Broadcast Partnership with Rainmaker, Kayo Sports and Foxtel

Posted on September 7, 2026 by Courtney

The Melbourne Aces have announced a broadcasting partnership with Sports Entertainment Group’s television production subsidiary, Rainmaker, alongside Kayo Sports and Foxtel, to deliver live coverage of the club’s international series.

Under the agreement, Rainmaker will professionally produce 18 Melbourne Aces fixtures throughout the season, broadcasting the action live across Fox Sports, Kayo Sports, and Foxtel. The collaboration showcases visiting teams from the United States, New Zealand, and South Korea, providing Australian sports fans with enhanced access to the nation’s leading baseball club.

Commenting on the agreement, Melbourne Aces chairman, Brett Ralph, said: “This partnership represents an exciting new chapter for the Melbourne Aces and for baseball in Australia.”

“Having all of our home games professionally produced by Rainmaker and the international series available live through Kayo Sports gives our fans greater access than ever before while helping introduce new audiences to our club and our sport.

“We’re committed to growing baseball’s profile and creating the best possible experience for our members, supporters and commercial partners, and this agreement is a major step forward in achieving that,” Ralph said.

Noting that the collaboration aligns with the company’s broader media investment plans, Sports Entertainment Group CEO, Craig Hutchison,added: “The Melbourne Aces are one of Australia’s premier sporting organisations and we’re delighted to be working alongside the club and Kayo Sports.”

“Rainmaker has built a strong reputation for producing premium live sport, and we’re excited to help showcase the Aces to audiences throughout Australia and beyond.

“This partnership reflects SEG’s ongoing investment in creating compelling sports content and supporting the growth of emerging and established sporting competitions,” Hutchison said.

Highlighting how the partnership enhances the network’s sports portfolio, Foxtel Group head of sport and content partnership, Nic Goard, concluded: “This partnership with the Melbourne Aces and Rainmaker adds further depth to Kayo Sports’ already diverse sports offering, giving baseball a strong platform to reach and grow its fan base locally.”

“Baseball has a passionate and engaged audience, and through Kayo Sports we’re excited to showcase the elite competition, unique stories and energy of the Aces throughout the series,” Goard said.

The alliance marks a milestone in expanding the commercial visibility and digital reach of professional baseball in Australia, combining the Aces’ on-field pedigree with Rainmaker’s production expertise and the national broadcasting footprint of Kayo Sports and Foxtel to amplify audience engagement and corporate value.

Foxtel Secures Exclusive Broadcasting Rights for Inaugural Surfing Super League Season

Posted on September 4, 2026 by Courtney

The Foxtel Group has expanded its premier sports broadcasting portfolio by securing an exclusive media rights agreement with the Surfing Super League for its highly anticipated inaugural season commencing in January 2028.

Under the terms of the partnership, Australian viewers will receive comprehensive, uninterrupted access to every wave of the revolutionary domestic competition, with fifty hours of dedicated broadcast coverage distributed exclusively across Foxtel, Kayo Sports, and BINGE.

This commercial alignment reinforces the platform’s market-leading position as the definitive home of Australian sport, integrating a fresh, fast-paced surfing format into a broadcast ecosystem that already commands major rights across league, union, cricket, and motorsport.

The introduction of the Surfing Super League represents a major commercial innovation within the Australian sports landscape. Designed as a cutting-edge, Australian-built competition, the league is structured to bring elite surfing action to nine iconic beaches around the country, combining high-performance athletics with a modern entertainment format tailored for digital-first audiences.

The partnership highlights the growing commercial value of niche and emerging action sports properties when paired with scale broadcast infrastructure. As streaming consumption habits continue to evolve across the Australian market, media organisations are increasingly investing in proprietary domestic events that offer differentiated content and exclusive intellectual property.

For the Surfing Super League, partnering with an established media giant provides the necessary reach, production capability, and promotional muscle to establish immediate national prominence. Meanwhile, for Foxtel, the addition of fifty hours of bespoke surfing content further diversifies its annual sporting calendar, ensuring continuous fan engagement during the peak summer months and strengthening long-term customer retention metrics.

As preparations ramp up toward the 2028 launch, both organisations are focused on finalising operational logistics, broadcast schedules, and integrated marketing campaigns to ensure the competition resonates strongly with sports fans nationwide.

Football Australia Launches Under-15 National Teams to Strengthen Elite Pathways

Posted on September 4, 2026 by Courtney

Football Australia has announced the establishment of its youngest-ever national programs, introducing boys’ and girls’ Under-15 National Select sides to compete in the inaugural FIFA U-15 World Cup & Festival™.

Commenting on the importance of the campaign, Football Australia executive director of Football, Heather Garriock, said: “It’s been a fantastic year for our National Youth Teams and youth football in general, and great progress has been made.”

“Seeing both the Joeys and Junior Matildas qualify for their World Cups shows the depth of talent coming through our pathways right now.

“Adding these Under-15 programs is the next logical step and it’s wonderful to give aspiring young footballers early exposure to international football.

“These U-15 and U-17 players are sitting right in the sweet spot for the Brisbane 2032 Olympics.

“The boys will be exactly the right age to form the core of the Under-23 Olyroos, and we hope it’s the start of a long international journey for many.

“We’re excited to have Michael lead the new Football Australia department, which will lead the national approach to talent identification and development to help strengthen the National Teams.”

Incoming lead – coach, Michael Cooper, transitioning fully after the FIFA Under-17 Women’s World Cup in Morocco, detailed the operational approach.

“I look forward to taking on the new role, while focusing on our immediate goal of making an impact with the Junior Matildas at the FIFA Under-17 World Cup in Morocco.”

“Our aim is to connect the various stages of the Australian football ecosystem – from schools, grassroots and community football through to clubs, Member Federations, A-League academies and national programs – to the national team pathway.

“This aligns closely with Football Australia’s current Talent Development Scheme, which emphasises multiple entry points, repeated observations and long-term monitoring of players.

“The FIFA U-15 World Cup & Festival will be a key part of the department’s processes and will link to the CommBank Emerging Championships.

“It will be exciting to lay the foundations for our youngest teams’ first entry into international football, where they will have an opportunity to face different nations and varying styles from all over the world,” Cooper said.

The boys’ team will feature in Azerbaijan this October, with the girls’ squad debuting next year ahead of annual scheduling in 2028. To oversee this framework, Junior Matildas coach Michael Cooper, has been appointed Pathways Talent Identification Lead, aligning development with the Talent Development Scheme and targeting success for the Brisbane 2032 Olympic Games.

Formula 1 and Disney Expand Partnership with Pixar’s Cars Crossover at Italian Grand Prix

Posted on September 4, 2026 by Courtney

Formula 1 and Disney are scaling their extended global collaboration through a commercial activation at the Formula 1 Pirelli Gran Premio d’Italia 2026 in Monza.

Marking the inclusion of Disney and Pixar’s Cars within the broader global partnership, which has been officially secured through 2028, the race weekend serves as a major milestone celebration for the beloved franchise’s twentieth anniversary on one of international motorsport’s most prestigious stages.

The experiential and commercial showcase features a special appearance and honorary track lap by Lightning McQueen, displaying an all-new bespoke livery born from the Formula 1 and Disney creative alliance.

In addition, the high-performance Mercedes-AMG GT 63 PRO 4MATIC+, which debuted earlier this season at the Hungarian Grand Prix as the fourteenth Official FIA Formula 1 Safety Car carrying the iconic three-pointed star, will receive an exclusive Cars-inspired makeover for the Monza event.

Beyond on-track activations, the partnership unlocks commercial value through targeted merchandising and global retail distribution.

Attendees at Monza will have immediate access to trackside retail outlets stocking the exclusive Disney and Pixar’s Cars with Formula 1 collection, featuring branded apparel, accessories, collector items, and die-cast vehicles produced by Mattel.

Simultaneously, international fans can purchase selected product lines online via the Official F1 Store and DisneyStore.com, maximising retail monetisation and worldwide brand visibility ahead of Lightning McQueen Day.

Melbourne Stars Sign Old El Paso as Platinum Partner

Posted on September 4, 2026 by Courtney

The Melbourne Stars have bolstered their commercial portfolio ahead of the upcoming summer by securing Old El Paso as a new Platinum Partner and Official World Food Partner.

Commencing from the 2026/27 season, the multi-year partnership integrates the iconic global food brand across the club’s Big Bash League and Women’s Big Bash League teams, featuring prominent branding across match days, team apparel, and community-driven initiatives.

The collaboration launches alongside Old El Paso’s major new marketing campaign, titled ‘The Crunch is Calling’, aligning the brand’s vibrant Mexican-inspired food culture with the high-energy entertainment of domestic cricket across major venues such as the Melbourne Cricket Ground and Junction Oval.

Highlighting the synergy between the entertainment value of cricket and the brand’s consumer engagement goals, welcoming the partnership, Melbourne Stars GM, James Rosengarten, said: “We’re really excited to be welcoming Old El Paso to the Melbourne Stars family.”

“Old El Paso is a brand that knows how to bring colour, flavour and fun to family occasions, and ‘The Crunch is Calling’ is a natural fit with the noise, energy and excitement of Stars match days.

“We’re looking forward to working together to deliver great experiences for our fans across the MCG, Junction Oval, community events and our digital channels,” Rosengarten said.

General Mills Australia, operating under its broader parent organisation which generated global net sales of nineteen billion US dollars in fiscal 2025 alongside one billion in joint venture sales, views the partnership as a vital vehicle to connect communities through shared experiences.

Elaborating on the campaign’s alignment with national sporting culture, marketing director for General Mills ANZ, Surini Perera, added: “At Old El Paso, we’re all about bringing people together through food, fun and shared experiences.”

“’The Crunch is Calling’ celebrates those irresistible moments that bring people together – from a huge six or a game-changing wicket to the crunch of a taco shared with family and friends over a mexican inspired meal.

“Cricket has such a special place in Australian summers, and we’re excited to partner with the Melbourne Stars to create more memorable moments for fans and families across the BBL and WBBL seasons,” Perera said.

NBL27 Season to Implement Major FIBA Rule Overhaul and Expanded Replay Systems

Posted on September 4, 2026 by Courtney

The Hungry Jack’s NBL27 season is set to introduce a suite of new FIBA officiating rules designed to reshape game flow, player discipline, and integrity across the competition.

Taking effect from October 1, the regulatory updates will make their official debut when the Tasmania JackJumpers face Melbourne United at MyState Bank Arena.

The sweeping modifications address long-standing challenges regarding player conduct, tactical fouling, and officiating transparency. Unsportsmanlike fouls will be formally replaced and categorised into disruptive and flagrant infractions. Disruptive fouls will target less severe offences, such as tactical fouls stopping transition play without a legitimate attempt at the ball, and will not carry automatic ejection penalties. Conversely, flagrant fouls will be reserved for reckless or excessive contact and will result in immediate disqualification.

Technical fouls are similarly restructured into two distinct tiers to provide clearer adjudication. Category one offences encompass serious behavioural breaches, including disrespect toward officials, taunting, offensive language, and foul simulation, which will contribute toward player ejections. Category two infractions cover administrative delays or minor disruptions without risking disqualification.

Under the revised guidelines, players will face automatic ejection upon accumulating two category one technical fouls, two flagrant fouls, or a combination of one from each classification, while disruptive fouls and category two technical incidents are excluded from accumulation thresholds.

To curb manipulation by players attempting to draw soft contact, the league has tightened shooting foul interpretations. The act of shooting will now be strictly defined, requiring a clear upward motion of the shoulders and ball toward the basket on jump shots, or a definitive continuous motion following a ball gather on drives. Passing or moving the ball away from the basket after contact will nullify shooting foul claims, safeguarding defensive fairness.

Furthermore, the instant replay system undergoes a significant expansion to assist officials during high-stakes moments.

In the final two minutes of the fourth quarter and overtime, officials can review throw-in foul timing relative to the passer releasing the ball.

Additionally, goaltending and basket interference reviews are extended across all game stages, supporting coaches’ challenges and enhancing overall decision-making accuracy.